Root canal treatment sounds intimidating mainly because many people remember it from years ago: long appointments, discomfort, stress. Today, endodontics looks different. The microscope allows the doctor to see what the naked eye cannot see, and modern anaesthesia means that the patient usually... just lies back and waits until it is all over. One question remains: how exactly does it work?
What is root canal treatment under the microscope?
Root canal treatment (endodontics) consists of removing diseased or dead pulp from the canals of the tooth, thoroughly cleaning the inside of the root and tightly filling the canals. The aim is simple: to stop the inflammation and save the tooth instead of removing it.
An endodontic microscope is a tool that provides magnification and strong illumination of the treatment field. In practice, this means that the practitioner can see more precisely:
- find the mouths of the ducts (including additional ones),
- assess the anatomy of the tooth and obstructions in the canal,
- work more precisely in narrow, curved channels,
- it is safer to carry out repeated root canal treatment (reendo) when the previous endodontics needs to be corrected.
The microscope simply means that the doctor has more control over what is happening in the tooth.
When does a tooth need root canal treatment? Symptoms that patients most often ignore
The scenario is most often similar: a tooth „hurts”, then passes, and after a few weeks or months the problem returns more strongly. The cause can be deep decay, trauma, a leaking filling or a crack through which bacteria enter the pulp.
Signals that should turn on a light:
- spontaneous pain, especially increasing in the evening or at night,
- a long „pull” on cold or warm (not seconds, but minutes),
- pain on biting, feeling of a „high tooth”,
- swelling of the gum, a palpable pustule or an unpleasant aftertaste (may indicate a fistula),
- darkening of the tooth after trauma,
- and sometimes... no pain despite the inflammatory changes visible on the X-ray.
The latter is surprising but common: the pulp can die and inflammation develops in the bone without spectacular symptoms. This is why diagnostic imaging is so important.
Diagnostics before endodontics - why is an X-ray so important?
The location of the canals cannot be guessed. They need to be seen and treatment needs to be planned. X-rays (and in some cases broader diagnostic imaging) can assess, among other things:
- number and course of roots,
- length of channels,
- the presence of inflammatory lesions around the root tip,
- previous treatment (e.g. underfilled channels, złamane tool),
- suspected rupture or other complications.
In the ODENT Medical Center the patient has access to a digital X-ray room, which shortens the pathway: diagnosis and treatment are consistent and the doctor works with up-to-date, clear images. This influences the speed of decisions and the patient's sense of security: you know what you are doing and why.
Does root canal treatment hurt? How about anaesthesia and patient comfort
In the simplest terms: well conducted root canal treatment Usually does not hurt because it is performed under local anaesthesia. The patient may feel touch, pressure and water from the flushing, but should not feel pain.
So where do online stories of suffering come from?
- part concerns old methods and weaker anaesthesia,
- Some of these are situations where the patient came in acutely inflamed and the anaesthetic and treatment strategy needed to be adjusted,
- Sometimes the pain after the appointment is confused with the pain „during” - which is different.
In practice, the doctor matches the anaesthetic to the clinical situation. If you feel discomfort during, you talk about it. This is not an immunity exam. Good endodontics is about cooperation and symptom control, not clenching your fist.
How root canal treatment proceeds step by step (for the patient)
This is the moment to remove the aura of mystery from root canal treatment. The visit has its own logic and next steps.
Step 1-2: tooth preparation and safe access to the canals
First, the dentist secures the treatment area and prepares the tooth so that the canals can be accessed. The idea is to work cleanly and predictably.
What does this mean for you?
- You lie comfortably, the tooth is anaesthetised,
- The dentist opens the tooth and locates the canal orifices,
- Under a microscope, it is easier to pick up details that can be missed under ordinary illumination.
Step 3-5: preparation, rinsing and disinfection - what happens inside the tooth
This is the heart of root canal treatment: cleaning the canals of infected tissue and bacteria. The canals are prepared with endodontic instruments and, in parallel, rinsed with special solutions that help to remove bacterial biofilm from areas that are mechanically difficult to reach.
At this stage the doctor:
- gives the channels the right shape,
- controls the length of the study,
- ensures that the inside of the tooth is as well disinfected as possible.
For the patient, this stage is usually „no story”. You feel something happening, but it is the sound and presence of instruments rather than pain.
Step 6-7: filling the canals and sealing - why the precision
Once the channels are cleaned, they need to be sealed. The idea is simple: to close off the path for bacteria. Later, the tooth is restored so that it can work normally again in the bite.
This is the stage where accuracy counts. A well-executed root canal filling reduces the risk of recurrent infection and the return of symptoms. A microscope helps to control the details of the work, and a control X-ray allows the effect of the treatment to be assessed in relation to the anatomy of the root.
What does the microscope offer in endodontics? Concrete benefits
The microscope in root canal treatment makes sense when it increases predictability. And it increases it because it improves visibility.
The most common practical benefits:
- finding additional channels more easily (and they exist more often than patients assume),
- greater control in difficult channels: narrow, curved, calcified,
- improved work in reendo, This is the case during root canal re-treatment, when it is necessary to remove the old filling and get to the root of the problem,
- catching the details type of microfractures, steps, unusual anatomy that affect the treatment plan.
In short: the more you see, the fewer surprises there are.
How long does root canal treatment take and what does the number of visits depend on?
Root canal treatment time depends on several things and cannot be fairly reduced to a single figure. It is most often influenced by:
- which tooth we are treating (an incisor is different from a molar with several canals),
- inflammation and degree of infection,
- whether it is the first treatment or a second treatment (reendo),
- canal anatomy (curvatures, stenosis, calcifications).
Sometimes treatment can be carried out in a single visit. It is also sometimes the case that two or three visits are necessary, particularly in the case of multi-channel teeth or complications. Important: The number of visits is not „worse” or „better”. Its purpose is to ensure that the treatment is well adapted to the clinical situation.
What happens after root canal treatment? Typical sensations, recommendations and restoration of the tooth
After endodontics, some patients leave feeling relieved straight away. Others have tenderness for a few days. This is normal: the tissues around the root need a while to calm down.
Pain after root canal treatment - when is it normal and when is it worth calling
Most common „normal” symptoms:
- tenderness when biting,
- mild pain on touching the tooth,
- the impression that the tooth is „tired”.
This usually fades within a few days. It is worth contacting the surgery if:
- the pain is increasing instead of decreasing,
- swelling occurs,
- you have a fever or marked deterioration in your mood,
- you cannot function normally despite the recommendations.
There is no room for heroism here. It's better to call and check that everything is going according to plan.
Tooth restoration after endodontics - why it is part of the treatment and not an add-on
A tooth after root canal treatment is sometimes more susceptible to damage, especially if it has lost a lot of tissue through decay or old fillings. Therefore, restoration is the closure of the entire process.
The doctor selects the method to suit the situation:
- sometimes all you need is a good filling,
- Sometimes an inlay and prosthetic restoration is required,
- In many cases, a crown is considered to strengthen the tooth and protect it from fracture.
This is an individual decision. The good news? It can usually be planned immediately after assessing how much healthy tooth tissue is left.
Why should you have endodontics done at the ODENT Medical Centre in Warsaw?
If you've had złe experiences, often the problem wasn't the procedure itself, it was the stress and the feeling of being out of control: „I don't know what they are doing to me and whether it makes sense”. At ODENT, the focus is on clear diagnosis, calm communication and solutions that increase the predictability of treatment: a microscope in endodontics, a digital X-ray room and an experienced team of specialists.
FAQ
Is root canal treatment under the microscope really painless?
In most cases, yes, because the procedure is performed under anaesthesia. You may feel touch and pressure, but not pain. If there is discomfort, the doctor can react immediately.
How much does root canal treatment under the microscope cost in Warsaw?
The price depends on the tooth (number of canals) and the degree of difficulty, as well as whether it is the first treatment or a reendo. It is most fairly determined after examination and diagnostic imaging.
How many visits are usually needed for root canal treatment?
Sometimes one visit is sufficient, sometimes two or three are needed. This depends, among other things, on the anatomy of the canals and the inflammation.
How long does the pain last after root canal treatment?
Most often a few days as tenderness on biting. If pain increases, swelling or fever develops, it is worth contacting the surgery.
Can an inflamed tooth be root canal treated?
Yes, this is often when endodontics is indicated. The doctor selects the treatment strategy and anaesthetic to suit the clinical situation.
Does root canal treatment always end with a crown?
Not always. A crown is considered especially when the tooth is severely weakened and needs strengthening. Sometimes a restoration with a filling is sufficient.
When is a second root canal treatment (reendo) needed?
Most often, when the previous endodontics was leaking, the canal was missed, doszłhis leads to re-infection or periapical lesions appear.
Is a tooth „dead” after root canal treatment and what does this mean?
Yes, because the pulp is removed. However, the tooth can function normally in the bite as long as it is properly restored.
Is root canal treatment during pregnancy possible?
The decision is made by the doctor after assessing the situation. Usually, pain and inflammation treatment is sought, choosing a procedure that is safe for the patient.
What if the channels are curved or very narrow?
This is a common situation in molars. The microscope and the practitioner's experience help to work more safely in such anatomy and to select an appropriate treatment technique.
